As some of my readers will no doubt be informed, Zvezda, a Russian manufacturer of quite excellent 1/72 plastic figures, had recently stopped producing full-size boxes of toy soldiers and concentrates on smaller, multi-part sets instead. These 2-8 figure sets cost way too much compared to the actual contents, by the way.
The side effect is that suddenly all the sets - which there have been a high demand for, I might add - gained the magical value of being Out Of Production, and thus it is no surprise their prices are somewhere at the height of the Jupiter.
Looking about to build an early 18th century Austrian army (to be used with my ImagiNations as well), I checked out Amazon UK, where a box of Zvezda GNW infantry, 40 or so figures, costs over 50 pounds, shipping not included. It's at the level of a 28mm plastic figure per capita, and this prompts me to think about buying a box and begin recasting - might be just more cost effective after all.
(For the sake of clarity, the same set from the US costs less than half, shipping included, it's just the worst example I could find to prove my point that Zvezda are being dumb.)
I am very much an admirer of Zvezda figures, and if I had the wherewithal anf the time, I'd get more of them than i have already. It seems a shame that they have gone out of production in favour of some overpriced product of more limited value. That sounds like a mistaken marketing strategy that has beset figure producers from time out of mind (I'm looking at YOU, Airfix!). Killing the goose that lays the golden eggs just ain't smart.
ReplyDeleteI believe most 1/72 manufacturers consider the figure boxes sidelined next to the model kits, which they produce in larger volumes, and hobby stores stock a lot more of the kits than the figures. There is a much higher demand, but it does not mean nobody's buying the figures.
DeleteThat's not good news for you and sounds a very short sighted strategy.
ReplyDeleteAbsolutely right, at least from a buyer's point of view.
DeleteZvezda decided to become the Games Workshop of the 1:72 scale. I am also worried about skyrocketing prices, if this keeps going on I'll strongly consider switching to 28mm.
ReplyDeleteMy real problem is that I've got a huge chunk of my collection in 1/72 and it would be difficult to make the switch.
DeleteHave a look at these HaT figures:
ReplyDeletehttp://www.hat.com/Curr3/Bx8280PI/Bx8280PM.html
I purchased quite a few myself. Not as nicely sculpted as Zvezda, but they make nice wargame figures.
Thank you for the suggestion, but I'm afraid those are too 'modern' for my taste, I'm thinking more WAS/Marlburian than SYW. I have been eyeing those sets nonetheless.
Deletehttp://stores.ebay.com/TRANSPORT-MODELS-OF-PRESTON
ReplyDeletehttp://stores.ebay.com/DRUMandFLAG
These two eBay stores have been excellent for me, I can't say what their shipping will be to you, but from England to Canada they are pretty fast.
I have bought sets from both before, the thing with Drum and Flag is that although they sell boxes at a higher price, shipping is free to everywhere.
Delete